DWR Conducts Aerial Levee Surveys.

Team to Survey 350 Miles of Urban Levees by Helicopter

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) tomorrow (Friday, March 30, 2007) will begin conducting low-level helicopter flights over levees from Lathrop to Marysville. The flights, which are expected to continue for seven days, are aerial surveys to electronically gather data to help determine the integrity of 350 miles of urban levees as part of DWR's Levee Evaluation Program.

Flights will take place along the Feather River, Bear River, American River, Sutter Bypass, Sacramento River, Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River and tributaries.

One helicopter will fly at approximately 500 feet over the levees with airborne equipment including a global positioning system (GPS), laser scanner, and digital cameras. The data is primarily used to obtain topographical information (a digital terrain model). The data gathered will be used by department experts to assist in the evaluation of the geotechnical and erosion characteristics of the levees surveyed. This information may be used in the future for vegetation and design purposes.

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This schedule will be adjusted on a daily basis to accommodate local weather conditions and GPS observation windows.

For more detailed flight locations and the most current flight schedule, go to http://www.levees.water.ca.gov/

DWR's Levee Evaluation Program is a $35 million, multi-year project and part of the Schwarzenegger administration's efforts to increase flood protection through improvement of California's levee system.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.